Do those with a driver just die suddenly with no warning? The constant brightness would be an advantage but having it die without warning could be a problem.
Some early LED flashlights did just that! It did not take long to find out that getting caught in the dark with no warning was unacceptable. Good flashlights give you flat regulation in all but their highest modes (and sometimes even there), but also give you plenty of warning when the batteries are running low.
When batteries in the Zebralight SC5 begin to get low, it automatically steps-down to a lower level. It does this in both Hi and Medium modes, first from Hi to Medium, and then from Medium to Low. After each stepdown, you still have 15-30 minutes (or longer) at the new level. I can tell you from personal experience with the SC62w that this works. It is quite jarring when it happens. It doesn't go unnoticed.
In addition, when the SC5 is off, you can click four times to get battery status. In response, the flashlight will flash between 1 and 4 times, with 4 meaning a full or nearly full battery.
Take a look at these runtime charts for the Zebralight SC5. They are taken from the
review by CPF member Selfbuilt. The exact times for each stepdown are shown in the charts.
The performance of the SC5 is simply outstanding. Overall efficiency and regulation are comparable to the SC52 on the lower levels (which was always best in class). But at the highest levels, the SC5 blows away anything in the class in terms of output.
In addition to the written review linked above, Selfbuilt has posted a short
video review on YouTube that you might find worthwhile.
The SC5 is worth serious consideration. It is a bit bulkier than other 1x AA flashlights, so you may find that you can get used to its grip. It is one of the best 1x AA flashlights currently available. Running on NiMH, there is nothing brighter. In the conclusion of his written review, Selfbuilt says this:
"The SC5 is another hit-out-of-the-park home run for Zebralight in the 1xAA class." I have read many of his reviews. Few, if any, use such uncompromising language.
I will definitely be looking at some 1 AA flashlights but to be honest I like the Maglite XL200, it seems to have a rotation sensor that allows you to rotate the flashlight itself to adjust brightness, strobe rate, and also has a mode where it dims itself when not moving and goes bright again when moved. Do any 1 AA flashlights have similar features?
Zebralights do not use accelerometers, and cannot automatically get dimmer or brighter based on motion. Sounds like this could be useful in case you set your flashlight down, and then forget it is running.
Although Zebralights are without accelerometers, they do have one of the most popular user interfaces in the business. Directly from off, the UI gives you access to Lo, Medium, and Hi. From any of these, an alternate level can be selected by double-clicking. That means there are 6 easily accessed levels. In case that is not enough, there are 5 more alternates that can be programmed with a little work. Of course, there are also multiple (hidden) strobe, SOS, beacon modes.
If you want the Mag then get the Mag and do not let yourself be bullied out of your choice,it is you buying the light and if you want to use 3aaa then do so.
Sound advice from a recent purchaser of the SC5! As I recall, AVService has not yet decided whether he likes the SC52 a bit more than the SC5. Last I read, he was still waiting for an Eneloop Pro so he could check out the Hi mode on his SC5.